The Scene

The singer refused to reveal further details about the event or whether it would be a full tour, simply stating it will "begin on a purple day in December 2010".

He told reporters, "(Welcome 2 America) is what we've all been waiting for: multiple nights of entertainment.

"Come early and come often. No concert is ever the same... Bring your friends, bring your children and bring foot spray, because it's going to be funky."

Prince will be backed by his band the New Power Generation and the live shows will feature appearances from a string of R&B and funk stars, including Janelle Monae, Maceo Parker, Lalah Hathaway and Sheila E.

And Prince plans to wrap up the concert series by selling a special gold-plated guitar to raise funds for the non-profit organisation Harlem Children Zone, the education facility highlighted in new documentary Waiting For Superman.

Prince played 21 sold-out nights at London's O2 Arena in the summer of 2007 as part of his Earth Tour.